Folks, I'm euphoric, as I'm sure you all are. The Spartans finally won a bowl game -- first time since 2001 and first time under Mark Dantonio. This victory says so much about where MSU's football program is. But first, let me quickly list off some brief points about the game.
- The Spartan defense played brilliantly. Over 15 tackles for loss! And 9 of Geogia's points came from special teams or their defense (the safety). And another three of Georgia's points came off an interception near the Spartan goal line, where the defense was able to hold them to a field goal. The one problem, as we all saw, was the long bombs Georgia was able to connect on. Our secondary was getting burned. So it was nice to see Darqueze Dennard come back with some big plays, including 2 interceptions.
- I loved seeing Anthony Rashad White having a big game. Makes me feel better about losing Jerel Worthy -- though I still hope he will return.
- The Spartan offense was excellent -- in the second half. Clearly, Georgia's speed was too much for the Spartans in the first half. They could not run the ball outside the tackles, the receivers couldn't separate from their defenders, and Cousins was getting pressured. In the second half, the Spartans finally stopped trying to run outside (although I thought Roushar was going to be stubborn with that, like in the Nebraska game), they went to their tight ends much more (especially Linthicum), and the line really gave Cousins a lot of time to throw.
- The special teams were excellent -- except for Boykin's punt return for a TD. Conroy hit all his field goal attempts, Sadler frequently pinned Georgia back with his punting, and Nick Hill had some excellent kickoff returns.
My friends, MSU may take a step back next year -- because they will be losing several key players particularly in the passing game -- but this game showed us that MSU has arrived as a program. Mark Dantonio has turned this program into a top-10 program that can compete with the best programs in the country. Georgia was no slouch. They were talented on both sides of the ball, and they will be one of top 5 teams in the country next year. MSU dominated them and really deserved to win the game -- just like the B1G championship.
Admittedly, the Spartans were exposed a little. We were able to see that if the Spartans are going to compete with the best teams in the country, they are going to need to address a few things. Namely, they need a little more speed at wide receiver, running back, and cornerback. And actually, judging from their 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes, it looks like they will have all those areas addressed soon.
The final thing I'll say today is that MSU has a chance to build something special here. Dantonio is an elite coach, and he has a great staff. Another 5 years of this kind of excellence and MSU will surely win a national championship and earn a reputation as an elite program -- perhaps like Alabama, Oklahoma, and LSU. I hope nothing gets in the way of that in the next few years.
Showing posts with label Dantonio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dantonio. Show all posts
Monday, January 2, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Let's Appreciate What We Have
The Big Ten Championship Game (BTCG) was a blow to the stomach, but ladies and gentlemen, let's clear our minds for a moment to appreciate what a great season this has been and how lucky we are as Spartan fans. The Spartan players and coaches had their ups and downs this season, but in the end, the body of work they delivered for our pleasure was remarkable. We don't have a perfect program (who does?), but we do have a program that has achieved heights not seen in East Lansing, in many, many years.
Let me start with the coaches. Spartan nation, we are blessed. Mark Dantonio is truly an elite coach. In just 5 years, he has taken a program that could not even win 50% of its games and turned it into a program that now consistently contends for the Big Ten title. And folks, this is just the start. I am convinced that he will take MSU to the point where we are consistently able to compete for national championships. As for the coordinators, I had my share of complaints with their play calling throughout the year, but at the end of the regular season I can honestly say that Pat Narduzzi and Dan Roushar exceeded expectations. I felt like they called a masterful game in the BTCG. I hope to see both of them back next year.
As for the players, I hate to single out any of them for praise because this whole team deserves to be celebrated. But since I don't have time to write about all of them (perhaps in a few months I will), I will mention a few that stood out in the BTCG and who will be leaving or are likely to be leaving after this year. I will also mention Le'Veon Bell because he just stood out too much.
Kirk Cousins -- learned so much throughout the year and learned to stay cool under pressure. In the Notre Dame game I thought he was exposed as a quarterback that was too nervous to be really good. But in the BTCG he really looked like an NFL quarterback. He showed great poise and accuracy. In one of my first posts I predicted that he would become a first-round talent. His performance in the BTCG made me believe that he still could do that. I expect him to impress the scouts at the NFL combines.
B.J. Cunningham -- played like a wide receiver that will be taken in the first 3 rounds all year long. In the BTCG he played his best, perhaps 2nd round good.
Keyshawn Martin -- was inconsistent most of the year, but in the BTCG he looked like a 2nd round talent.
Jerel Worthy -- led by example in the BTCG and looked every bit like a player that deserves to be taken in the top 15 of the NFL draft.
Trenton Robinson -- made big hit after big hit in the BTCG. He may not go in the first 3 rounds but I think he will be drafted.
Le'Veon Bell -- have you ever seen anyone run with as much heart and power as Bell ran with in the BTCG? This guy is a superstar in the making. MSU's O-line will improve next year and Bell will become a household name next year.
In the future, I will write a post about guys that are coming back next year and what next year will look like for the Spartans. For now, let's just appreciate the great talents that have donned the Spartan uniform. And let's appreciate that none of these guys was a rated particularly high by any recruiting sites. Appreciate that MSU does a great job of discovering and developing talent.
Let me start with the coaches. Spartan nation, we are blessed. Mark Dantonio is truly an elite coach. In just 5 years, he has taken a program that could not even win 50% of its games and turned it into a program that now consistently contends for the Big Ten title. And folks, this is just the start. I am convinced that he will take MSU to the point where we are consistently able to compete for national championships. As for the coordinators, I had my share of complaints with their play calling throughout the year, but at the end of the regular season I can honestly say that Pat Narduzzi and Dan Roushar exceeded expectations. I felt like they called a masterful game in the BTCG. I hope to see both of them back next year.
As for the players, I hate to single out any of them for praise because this whole team deserves to be celebrated. But since I don't have time to write about all of them (perhaps in a few months I will), I will mention a few that stood out in the BTCG and who will be leaving or are likely to be leaving after this year. I will also mention Le'Veon Bell because he just stood out too much.
Kirk Cousins -- learned so much throughout the year and learned to stay cool under pressure. In the Notre Dame game I thought he was exposed as a quarterback that was too nervous to be really good. But in the BTCG he really looked like an NFL quarterback. He showed great poise and accuracy. In one of my first posts I predicted that he would become a first-round talent. His performance in the BTCG made me believe that he still could do that. I expect him to impress the scouts at the NFL combines.
B.J. Cunningham -- played like a wide receiver that will be taken in the first 3 rounds all year long. In the BTCG he played his best, perhaps 2nd round good.
Keyshawn Martin -- was inconsistent most of the year, but in the BTCG he looked like a 2nd round talent.
Jerel Worthy -- led by example in the BTCG and looked every bit like a player that deserves to be taken in the top 15 of the NFL draft.
Trenton Robinson -- made big hit after big hit in the BTCG. He may not go in the first 3 rounds but I think he will be drafted.
Le'Veon Bell -- have you ever seen anyone run with as much heart and power as Bell ran with in the BTCG? This guy is a superstar in the making. MSU's O-line will improve next year and Bell will become a household name next year.
In the future, I will write a post about guys that are coming back next year and what next year will look like for the Spartans. For now, let's just appreciate the great talents that have donned the Spartan uniform. And let's appreciate that none of these guys was a rated particularly high by any recruiting sites. Appreciate that MSU does a great job of discovering and developing talent.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Preview of Iowa Game
So it's safe to say that the last two weeks have been at least a little humbling for me. After three impressive victories in a row -- over Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin -- I was ready to declare that the MSU football program had achieved elite status. I was ready to say that MSU could now be expected to compete for the national championship, year after year. And I was ready to see elite recruits rush through the gates of Spartan Stadium. Well, the blow-out at the hands of Nebraska and the near disaster against Minnesota have forced me to embark on a deep psychological journey. A little like this one:
What I have concluded is that the Spartans are no longer the same team that looked so impressive against Ohio State and Michigan. Those Spartans were flying around the field like hawks and they made you feel no doubt that they would win those games. Against Wisconsin, things got shaky, but they still beat a very tough opponent. But in the Nebraska and Minnesota games I saw a completely different Spartan team. They looked uninterested, lacked swagger, and (dare I say?) they reminded me of the Spartans under J.L. Smith.
How did that happen? The most likely explanation is the brutality of the Spartans' schedule. Nebraska was just one tough game too many. It's hard to get pumped up four weeks in a row. It's hard for coaches to scheme for four tough opponents in a row. This latter point is probably the most important. The coaches looked outclassed the last two weeks.
Whatever the explanation, the Spartans must overcome their troubles this week. This week they play a tough Iowa team that is unbeaten at home in a game that could determine who wins the Legends division.
Iowa has more than enough defense to stop the struggling Spartan offense. Iowa's defense is ranked 36th in the nation. They have decent linebackers and defensive line. But I'm most worried about their physical corners. If Iowa's coaches have scouted the Nebraska v MSU game, they know that they can shut down the Spartan receivers by pressing them at the line of scrimmage. Hopefully, the refs won't let them get away with pass interference, but more importantly, I hope the Spartan coaches have a plan for dealing with this strategy.
MSU's defense actually should match up well against Iowa's offense. Iowa's offense is ranked 41st in the country. They have good receivers, tight ends, and the powerful Marcus Coker at running back. But MSU has the athletes to shut down all facets of Iowa's offense. MSU's corners can keep up with Iowa's receivers and MSU's D-line should be able to considerably slow down Coker.
In general, MSU has the athletes to beat Iowa. And so, the key for me is coaching. Kirk Ferentz has shown that he is a very good schemer. Iowa has an effective passing game thanks in large part to their creative use of their tight ends. And why is it that Iowa always has a good running back, no matter how many of them get injured? I have seen enough of Iowa, now, to know that this must have something to do with their coaching.
Ferentz has beaten MSU three of the last four years. Meanwhile, MSU's offensive coordinator is struggling and Nebraska and Minnesota showed teams that MSU's defense is not so dominant. And so, I hate to say it, but unless MSU's coaching staff has something up their sleave, I just can't see the Spartans pulling this one out. Iowa has looked bad on the road, but at home they seem to be a relatively dominant team. So for the first time this season, I'm actually going to predict against MSU.
Final prediction: MSU 17 Iowa 27
All I'm asking for is that the Spartans don't embarrass themselves in Kinnick Stadium. As long as they remain competitive throughout the game, I won't be too disappointed. But if they get blown out, then it shows the Spartans have not progressed all that much since last year. It could show that the Spartans have kind of hit their ceiling under Dantonio. At that point, I guess I may have to go back to thinking that Dantonio really is the Barry Alvarez of MSU.
What I have concluded is that the Spartans are no longer the same team that looked so impressive against Ohio State and Michigan. Those Spartans were flying around the field like hawks and they made you feel no doubt that they would win those games. Against Wisconsin, things got shaky, but they still beat a very tough opponent. But in the Nebraska and Minnesota games I saw a completely different Spartan team. They looked uninterested, lacked swagger, and (dare I say?) they reminded me of the Spartans under J.L. Smith.
How did that happen? The most likely explanation is the brutality of the Spartans' schedule. Nebraska was just one tough game too many. It's hard to get pumped up four weeks in a row. It's hard for coaches to scheme for four tough opponents in a row. This latter point is probably the most important. The coaches looked outclassed the last two weeks.
Whatever the explanation, the Spartans must overcome their troubles this week. This week they play a tough Iowa team that is unbeaten at home in a game that could determine who wins the Legends division.
Iowa has more than enough defense to stop the struggling Spartan offense. Iowa's defense is ranked 36th in the nation. They have decent linebackers and defensive line. But I'm most worried about their physical corners. If Iowa's coaches have scouted the Nebraska v MSU game, they know that they can shut down the Spartan receivers by pressing them at the line of scrimmage. Hopefully, the refs won't let them get away with pass interference, but more importantly, I hope the Spartan coaches have a plan for dealing with this strategy.
MSU's defense actually should match up well against Iowa's offense. Iowa's offense is ranked 41st in the country. They have good receivers, tight ends, and the powerful Marcus Coker at running back. But MSU has the athletes to shut down all facets of Iowa's offense. MSU's corners can keep up with Iowa's receivers and MSU's D-line should be able to considerably slow down Coker.
In general, MSU has the athletes to beat Iowa. And so, the key for me is coaching. Kirk Ferentz has shown that he is a very good schemer. Iowa has an effective passing game thanks in large part to their creative use of their tight ends. And why is it that Iowa always has a good running back, no matter how many of them get injured? I have seen enough of Iowa, now, to know that this must have something to do with their coaching.
Ferentz has beaten MSU three of the last four years. Meanwhile, MSU's offensive coordinator is struggling and Nebraska and Minnesota showed teams that MSU's defense is not so dominant. And so, I hate to say it, but unless MSU's coaching staff has something up their sleave, I just can't see the Spartans pulling this one out. Iowa has looked bad on the road, but at home they seem to be a relatively dominant team. So for the first time this season, I'm actually going to predict against MSU.
Final prediction: MSU 17 Iowa 27
All I'm asking for is that the Spartans don't embarrass themselves in Kinnick Stadium. As long as they remain competitive throughout the game, I won't be too disappointed. But if they get blown out, then it shows the Spartans have not progressed all that much since last year. It could show that the Spartans have kind of hit their ceiling under Dantonio. At that point, I guess I may have to go back to thinking that Dantonio really is the Barry Alvarez of MSU.
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